Our Japanese correspondent’s report from his first-ever San Diego Comic-Con

Here at RocketNews24, we often send our English-speaking staff out to cover events and places of interest related to Japaneseanimation and movies. This week, though, we’re pulling a 180 by sending one of our Japanese language reporters, Yoshio, to Comic-Con in San Diego.

Yoshio completed Phase One of his mission with no problems by successfully flying the 10 hours from Tokyo to California. Next on his list of objectives: a blow-by-blow report of Comic-Con’s preview night.

1. I hopped in the car early and drove to the San Diego Convention Center, which meant I arrived with plenty of time left to stare at the parking lot and its total lack of any empty spaces.

2. From the driver’s seat, I spent the next hour-plus appreciating the architecture of downtown San Diego/searching for a place to park, which I eventually found in a lot charging 25 bucks.

3. After completing the epic journey from my far-off parking space to the Convention Center entrance, I waited in line for 20 minutes to get my entrance badge.

4. Finally inside, I started by walking around the outer edge of the convention floor, where I was excited and a little honored to see how big the followings are in America for titles likeSailor Moon, Naruto, and One Piece.

5. Really, the venue is so huge I didn’t know what to check out first!

6. I spotted this crazy line stretching from the Bandai booth, but it was so long I had no idea what everyone was waiting for.

7. A few minutes later, the Bandai staff made some kind of announcement, which got the fans at their booth all agitated. Whatever that line was for, I guess they ran out.

8. There was no way I wasn’t stopping to take a picture of this awesome Darth Vader car.

9. Since I’d worked up a thirst, I headed over to the refreshment stand and got myself a Coke. It really hit the spot, but at $4 a pop, I think I’m going to stock up on cheap drinks from the grocery store and bring them with me tomorrow.

10. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there was something about a few of the cosplayers that I found positively enchanting.

11. Iron Man may not have had his own personalized ride like Lord Vader, but these figures were cool enough to warrant a photo session of their own.

12. I was all psyched to play some Super Smash Bros., but before I could get to the front of the line, nature called and I had to drop out. But at least I didn’t get beat!

13. The trim and toned Wii Fit Trainer was looking as good as some of the booth girls.

14. My feet were starting to get tired, so I sat down on the ground for a second on the edge of the exhibit space. Right away, a staffer told me to stand up. Who says being a comic fan means not getting any exercise?

15. After two hours of hanging out in the hall, I bought my first piece of merch: this mask which I’m taking back to Japan as a souvenir for one of RocketNews24’s pro wrestling-loving editors.

16. Preview Night shuts down at 9 p.m. As I left the Convention Center I realized I hadn’t eaten dinner yet, so when I got back to my friend’s house where I’m staying, I ordered a pizza from Papa John’s.

17. While enjoying a slice, I reminded myself that Comic-Con was just getting started, but I’ll do my best!

▼ Darth Invader attracting a crowd

▼ Star Wars

From all of us back in Japan, otsukaresama Yoshio! Good luck and sweet dreams. Sweet, pizza-induced dreams.